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Friday, 21 February 2014

Step 1. I have decided to make the Great British Sewing Bee pencil skirt for the sew along. It is featured in the March issue of Sew magazine. I downloaded the pattern - 12 pages - and pieced it together on my dining table.

Monday, 17 February 2014

1. Now to insert the invisible zipper. First I like to press the zipper teeth flat as this makes it easier to stitch nice and snugly next to the teeth. I also overlocked the raw edges of the skirt before placing the zip with the coils along the seam line. Then I stitched one side of the zip going slowly to avoid puckering ( normally I am a bit of a speed merchant on the machine!) Once that side was done I did the other side, remembering to keep the zip face down and to work on the right side of my fabric. I then stitched the rest of the seam from the hem up and overlapped where the zip stitching ended. A final press and voilà. There are much better instructions than mine for inserting an invisible zipper - I like Sew Serendity's at blogspot - really clear instructions and photographs.

2. Next step is the lining. I attached this to the waist edge, so no need for any waistband or facings.

The final dilemma - to add a decorative trim or not? I am addicted to trims but am reliably informed that less is more. Mmmm?

3. The finished article - as you can see I succumbed and added a hemline trim.

I found it necessary to stay stitch the waist edge as this lovely soft fabric is slightly stretchy and I don't want puckers. It has 2 darts back and front. The best way to get a neat finish to darts is to end the stitching at the point end and go a few stitches beyond, do not reverse stitch but pull the stitches through to same side and tie off. Then press, press and more press.

Hello fellow sewists! I am about to begin my new sewing project - nothing too exciting - just a simple skirt for work. My wardrobe is in dire need of refreshment and I wear the same old, same old......

I bought this fabric from Walthamstow market, the man outside Sainsburys ( to be known in future as TMOS) actually I think I am in love with him, his fabric is A-May-Zing! It is a lovely soft grey wool mix with a super drape and I lashed out and bought some burgundy lining at the heady price of £1.00 per metre! I know - it was extravagant of me ;) I also purchased a cutting board ( never had one before) and a rotary cutter ( jury still out on that). I am looking to buy a dress form but am still trawling the net for ideas and comparisons. If anyone has any suggestions or tips I would be hugely grateful. Well, the machine is calling.......

Wednesday, 12 February 2014

Hi fellow sewists. My name is Jan and I am a sewist. I love making clothes, accessories and home furnishings - anything in fact. I am addicted to reading sewing and craft blogs - sew time to join the bloggers myself. (ha!)

I am going to post my creations as they take shape and look forward to your comments and tips.